"I shore am. I'll sneak you off now if you'll go. I'll stick a knife
in Kells if you say so."

"Oh, no, I'm afraid to run off--and you needn't harm Kells. After
all, he's good to me."

"Good to you! ... When he keeps you captive like an Indian would?
When he's given me orders to watch you--keep you locked up?"

Wood's snort of disgust and wrath was thoroughly genuine. Still Joan
knew that she dared not trust him, any more than Pearce or the
others. Their raw emotions would undergo a change if Kells's
possession of her were transferred to them. It occurred to Joan,
however, that she might use Wood's friendliness to some advantage.

"So I'm to be locked up?" she asked.

"You're supposed to be."

"Without any one to talk to?"

"Wal, you'll hev me, when you want. I reckon thet ain't much to look
forward to. But I can tell you a heap of stories. An' when Kells
ain't around, if you're careful not to get me ketched, you can do as
you want."

"Thank you, Bate. I'm going to like you," replied Joan, sincerely,
and then she went back to her room. There was sewing to do, and
while she worked she thought, so that the hours sped. When the light